The original item was published from April 9, 2018 4:57 PM to April 10, 2019 12:00 AM

Fourteen residents and community members got to take a walk – albeit virtual – in police officer’s shoes as part of the inaugural Geneva Citizen Police Academy.
Participants attended 11 weekly classes to get an overview and insight into the Geneva Police Department along with a behind-the-scenes view of police operations. Students learned about the police hiring process, use of force, crime scene investigations, tech crime, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, crime prevention, mental health, traffic enforcement, drug education, Kane County SWAT, active shooter among other topics.
During the final class, academy members put their knowledge to the test using a video simulator. Armed with training weapons that provided real-time feedback, participants were challenged with making the same critical decisions police officers face on a daily basis.
“I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated residents and business owners who made our inaugural Citizen Police Academy a success,” Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “We believe the academy provided valuable insight into our day-to-day activities and further strengthened the bond between our community and the Police Department.”
The next Citizen Police Academy will be held in January 2019. Registration information will be available this fall on the City’s website and at the Geneva Police Department, 20 Police Plaza.
For more information, call Sgt. Brad Jerdee at 630-232-4736.